Subsequent Behavior Research Articles

Everyday conversations that impact health communication: developing and validating the everyday family health communication measure

ABSTRACT Research has shown that targeted, or episodic, conversations impact health behavior outcomes, like drinking, smoking, and sex, even later in life during emerging adulthood. However, little is truly known about families that engage in these episodic conversations. Research has speculated that the mundane everyday conversations may influence episodic communication and their subsequent behaviors. Therefore, steps were taken to better understand these everyday, or macro-level, health conversations. Study I operationalizes everyday family health communication that occurs within families to explore the if and why people subsequently engage in episodic health communication using a scale with 35 items developed from prior research. Participants (N = 163) completed a survey, which allowed for several factor analyses to narrow the measure down to 16 items. Study II validates the measure by examining the influence of everyday family health communication on targeted, episodic, health conversations, and health outcomes. Study II included 216 participants who responded to this new measure, as well as items pertaining to episodic communication (e.g. about alcohol or drug use) to assess the effects of everyday family health communication on episodic health communication within families. Results indicate that everyday family health communication was important in understanding family episodic communication about health behaviors and health behavior outcomes.

Evolving intra-and inter-session graph fusion for next item recommendation

Next-item recommendation aims to predict users’ subsequent behaviors using their historical sequence data. However, sessions are often anonymous, short, and time-varying, making it challenging to capture accurate and evolving item representations. Existing methods using static graphs may fail to model the evolving semantics of items over time. To address this problem, we propose the Evolving Intra-session and Inter-session Graph Neural Network (EII-GNN) to capture the evolving item semantics by fusing global and local graph information. EII-GNN utilizes a global dynamic graph to model inter-session item transitions and update item embeddings at each timestamp. It also constructs a per-session graph with shortcut edges to learn complex intra-session patterns. To personalize recommendations, a history-aware GRU applies the user’s past sessions. We fuse the inter-session graph, intra-session graph, and history embeddings to obtain the session representation for final recommendation. Our model performed well in experiments with three real-world data sets against its state-of-the-art counterparts.

Identifying Population Segments by Differing Levels of COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence and Evaluating Subsequent Uptake of COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors: Web-Based, Longitudinal, Probability-Based Panel Survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the launch of the US Department of Health and Human Services' COVID-19 Public Education Campaign to boost vaccine confidence and uptake among adults, as vaccines are key to preventing severe illness and death. Past segmentation research relevant to COVID-19 behavior has found important differences in attitudes, sociodemographics, and subsequent COVID-19 prevention behaviors across population segments. This study extends prior work by incorporating a more comprehensive set of attitudes, behaviors, and sociodemographic variables to identify population segments by differing levels of COVID-19 vaccine confidence and evaluate differences in their subsequent uptake of COVID-19 prevention behaviors. Data were obtained from 5 waves (January 2021 to June 2022) of a web-based longitudinal, probability-based panel survey of US adults (N=4398) administered in English and in Spanish. Participants were recruited from NORC at the University of Chicago's national AmeriSpeak panel and were invited to participate across multiple waves. Latent class cluster analysis estimated segments of respondents based on over 40 COVID-19 attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and sociodemographics as reported in wave 1. Survey-weighted cross-tabulations and bivariate regression analyses assessed differences in COVID-19 vaccine uptake, booster uptake, mask use, and social distancing in all segments across all 5 survey waves. A total of 6 segments (hardline nonintenders, prevention-compliant nonintenders, burned-out waiters, anxious waiters, skeptical confidents, and ready confidents) were identified, which differed by their COVID-19 vaccine confidence, prevention-related attitudes and behaviors, and sociodemographics. Cross-tabulations and regression results indicated significant segment membership differences in COVID-19 vaccine and booster timing, mask use, and social distancing. Results from survey-weighted cross-tabulations comparing COVID-19 vaccine and booster uptake across segments indicate statistically significant differences in these outcomes across the 6 segments (P<.001). Results were statistically significant for each segment (P<.01 for booster uptake among burned-out waiters; P<.001 for all other coefficients), indicating that, on average, respondents in segments with lower intentions to vaccinate reported later receipt of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters relative to the timing of vaccine and booster uptake among ready confidents. Results extend previous research by showing that initial beliefs and behaviors relevant to COVID-19 vaccination, mask use, and social distancing are important for understanding differences in subsequent compliance with recommended COVID-19 prevention measures. Specifically, we found that across respondent segments, the probability of vaccine and booster uptake corresponded with both COVID-19 vaccine confidence and mask use and social distancing compliance; more compliant segments were more likely to get vaccinated or boosted than less compliant segments given similar levels of vaccine confidence. These findings help identify appropriate audiences for campaigns. Results highlight the use of a comprehensive list of attitudes, behaviors, and other individual-level characteristics that can serve as a basis for future segmentation efforts relevant to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Infant sensitivity to social contingency moderates the predictive link between early maternal reciprocity and infants' emerging social behavior.

The scientific study of love underscores the importance of dyadic reciprocity in laying the foundation for infants' social development. While research establishes links between early reciprocity and children's social capacities, some infants appear to benefit from reciprocity more than others. A central feature of reciprocity is its contingent structure, that is, the extent to which maternal behaviors are temporally associated with and contingent upon infants' dynamically changing cues. As such, infants' sensitivity to social contingencies may define the extent to which an infant benefits from maternal reciprocity. The current study examined the role of infants' sensitivity to social contingency (SC) in moderating associations between early maternal reciprocity and subsequent infants' social behavior. The study followed 157 children (47% females), across the first year of life (4, 10, and 12 months) and at preschool age (48 months). Infants' SC at 4 and 10 months moderated the link between early maternal reciprocity and infants' prosocial behavior observed at 12 months. SC at 10 months moderated the link between early reciprocity and reported peer problems at 48 months. Maternal reciprocity predicted more helping behavior in infancy and fewer peer problems at preschool, but only for infants who displayed high SC. Findings highlight the contingent nature of reciprocal mother-infant interactions revealing that an infant's sensitivity to breaks in social-contingency moderates the developmental benefit of reciprocity. Future research is necessary to directly test the underlying mechanisms of these processes and better understand the individual characteristics of infants' sensitivity to social contingency and its' role in typical and atypical development. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Individual differences in infants' sensitivity to breaks in social contingencies may moderate the extent to which infants benefit from contingent reciprocal maternal behavior (i.e., maternal reciprocity). Maternal reciprocity predicted more helping behavior in infancy and fewer peer problems at preschool, but only for infants who displayed high sensitivity to breaks in social contingency. Findings highlight the contingent nature of reciprocal mother-infant interactions revealing that infants' sensitivity to breaks in social-contingency moderates the developmental benefit of reciprocity. Findings emphasize the need to develop measurement methods and direct empirical attention to the important yet understudied individual characteristic of infants' sensitivity to social contingency and its role in shaping social development.

Revealing the Effect of Dynamic Structural Evolution on Triple Junction Deformation Mechanism: Molecular Dynamics Simulations and an Energetic Model

Abstract Triple junction (TJ) migration is a plastic deformation mechanism in polycrystalline metals mediated by the interplay between neighboring grain boundaries (GBs). Compared with GB migration, the dynamic change of TJ structure during migration and its impact on subsequent TJ behavior is often overlooked. In this study, we explore the effect of dynamic TJ structure evolution on TJ deformation mechanism in a face-centered cubic metal Au model using molecular dynamics simulations. Our analysis reveals that the dislocation accumulation at TJ due to inconsistent disconnection nucleation from neighboring GBs can influence the stick-slip behavior of TJ migration. With the dynamic change of TJ structure, the velocity of TJ migration is gradually reduced, leading to a transition from TJ migration to dislocation emission from TJ. We have developed an energetic model to evaluate the critical stresses required for TJ migration and dislocation emission, providing an explanation of the competition between TJ migration and dislocation emission. Our findings deepen the understanding of TJ-governed plastic deformation mechanisms in polycrystalline materials.

Semantic priming by task-irrelevant speech: category-level or item-level processing?

ABSTRACT Recent studies show that task-irrelevant speech affects subsequent behaviour. For instance, category-exemplar production is primed if those exemplars were previously auditory distractors that accompanied the presentation of visual digits for serial recall (Röer et al., 2017. Semantic priming by irrelevant speech. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 24(4), 1205–1210. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-016-1186-3). This study examines semantic organisation as a boundary condition for the semantic priming effect. In a between-participants design, sequences of auditory distractors were either semantically organised (eight exemplars from one category) or random (one exemplar from each of eight categories). Semantic priming was measured by comparing production probability of previously encountered words against a matched unencountered set. Prior research indicates that an unexpected categorical change in task-irrelevant speech disrupts performance, suggesting processing of shared categorical membership enhances semantic priming (e.g. Vachon et al., 2020. The automaticity of semantic processing revisited: Auditory distraction by a categorical deviation. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 149(7), 1360–1397. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge000071). Consistent with these findings, semantic priming was found when distractor words were semantically organised but was absent with randomly presented exemplars, offering insight into the semantic processing of background sound.

The Impact of Trauma-Informed Training for a Youth Residential Center on Staff Attitudes and Behavior

ABSTRACT Purpose Children with behavioral issues in residential care settings have high rates of trauma, with a range of trauma experiences such as abuse and neglect, issues with attachment, and multiple disruptions in placements. Staff in these settings should have an understanding of trauma, its impact, and how to engage in trauma-informed practice. The purpose of this study was to examine whether a trauma-informed training, developed specifically based on the identified needs of a residential group care facility, had an impact on future staff attitudes and behaviors. Materials and methods A 3-h training was delivered by the researchers. Three identical sessions were provided to all 48 staff, regardless of education and role, across a 3-day period. Prior to the training, staff were given a pretest survey measuring components of trauma-informed (TI) practice that indicated how often the staff members engaged in TI practice. Thirty days later, the same participants completed a posttest survey to gauge if the training had an impact on their subsequent attitudes and behavior. Results There were improvements in many of the trauma-informed practice areas on the posttest survey. T-test analysis revealed five trauma-informed practice areas had improvements that were statistically significant from the pretest survey. Discussion The findings present the opportunity for recommendations for trauma-informed training development and delivery, as well as providing implications for the field of social work. Conclusion This study demonstrates the feasibility of administering a trauma-informed training program and observing relatively rapid improvements in future attitudes and behavior among staff.

Augmented Reality Gaming Experience: Assessing Satisfaction Level Towards Post Event Behavior for MARA 1.0

The proliferation of Augmented Reality (AR) technology has significantly transformed the gaming industry by merging digital content with the physical environment. This study focuses on assessing player satisfaction and subsequent behaviors in response to Mission AR Apocalypse (MARA) 1.0, an AR game designed to enhance educational engagement for Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) students. Developed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic by UnBound Malaysia, this game aims to provide an enriching experience through the integration of educational content within an AR framework. This research investigates four primary factors influencing player satisfaction: immersion and visual experience, ease of use and controls, game content and storyline and technical performance. Utilizing a correlational research design, data were collected from 503 students across 15 UiTM branches via structured questionnaires. The study employs Net Promoter Score (NPS) to measure satisfaction levels and their impact on post-event behaviors, such as the intent to recommend and continue using the game. Findings indicate a high level of satisfaction with immersion and visual experience, ease of use, and game content, though technical performance showed mixed results. These results support the hypotheses that immersive, visually rich AR games with user-friendly controls and engaging content enhance player satisfaction and recommendation intentions. The study concludes that while the majority of players are satisfied, there are areas for improvement, particularly in technical performance, to ensure a more seamless and enjoyable gaming experience. These insights are crucial for developers and educators aiming to optimize AR applications for educational purposes.

Resident’s Willingness to Travel Amidst Increased Post-Crisis Inbound Chinese Tourism: A Country-Of-Origin Effect Perspective

There is a scant academic inquiry into the influence of crisis and post-crisis events on residents’ perceptions, their attitude towards international inbound tourists, and how their subsequent domestic travel behaviour is nuanced by the re-introduction of international tourists post-a-crisis. A conceptual model was developed to explore the influence of China’s post-zero-COVID-19 policy country image on host country resident behaviour. Based on an n=499 South African residents’ sample, the cross-sectional deductive study utilised partial least squares structural equation modelling to explore the proposed hypotheses. Contrary to the extant literature, China’s post-pandemic and policy country-of-origin effect positively influenced South African residents' willingness to engage in domestic tourism despite the potential influx of inbound Chinese tourists. However, there is intriguing heterogeneity in the nuances of the country-of-origin effect, stereotypes, risk perception and interventions on resident perception, and conation. The study confirms the underlying mechanisms in resident post-crisis domestic travel behaviour and contributes to the burgeoning body of knowledge.

Feel the Pressure? Normative Pressures as a Unifying Mechanism for Relational Antecedents of Employee Turnover

ABSTRACTRelational perspectives on turnover antecedents have gained momentum in recent years, highlighting three distinct relational forces underlying employees' turnover decisions—notably, job embeddedness, social capital, and turnover contagion. However, these distinct perspectives are typically examined independent of one another, with little theoretical integration or holistic understanding of the shared mechanisms through which these relational antecedents operate on turnover intentions and behavior. We propose a conceptual model integrating the three types of relational antecedents (specifying their unique effects), while positing normative pressures from work and nonwork relationships as a fundamental consideration underlying quit decisions that translates their effects on leaving. Our model tests find support for this common mediator, even when controlling for traditional mediating mechanisms (i.e., job attitudes and perceived alternatives). Our tests also include important cultural considerations, allowing for comparisons between national cultures in our sample of nearly 700 surveyed employees and their subsequent quit intentions and behaviors, spanning the USA, Hong Kong, and China. Our tests revealed that on‐ and off‐the‐job embeddedness reduces quit propensity while prospective colleague turnover boosts that propensity. Path analyses further determined that normative pressures predict quit propensity (beyond attitudes and alternatives), and that such pressures mediate how job embeddedness and prospective coworker turnover influence quit propensity. We tease apart these effects across national cultures and discuss theoretical and practical implications of our findings.

Transforming Event Experiences: The Role of Application Technology in Shaping Behavioral Intentions and Attachment to Places

ABSTRACTThis study develops an integrated model that investigates the impact of app technology on event experiences and subsequent consumer behaviors—place attachment, affective commitment, and behavioral intentions. In the context of sports tourism events, data were collected from 219 international participants during the 12th Transpyr race in 2022. Results suggest that perceived usefulness, information value, and perceived enjoyment are drivers of users' app satisfaction, though perceived ease of use did not directly impact app satisfaction. App satisfaction positively impacted event experiences, fostering place attachment, behavioral intention (intention to participate, word‐of‐mouth, electronic word‐of‐mouth), and affective commitment. Affective commitment also influenced behavioral intentions positively, unlike place attachment. This study extends the tourism and consumer behaviors literature. It also presents a new perspective on the TAM model by measuring the users' online experience and its impact on the event experience. Additionally, it provides event organizers with guidelines for building successful experiences.

Implications of Developmental 17-OHPC Exposure on the Mesocorticolimbic Serotonergic and Dopaminergic Pathways and Adolescent Mood-Related Behavior in Rats.

The synthetic progestin, 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC), is administered to pregnant individuals at risk for recurrent preterm birth during a critical period of fetal mesocorticolimbic serotonergic and dopaminergic pathway development. These pathways play an important role in regulating cognitive behaviors later in life. Despite this, there has been very little research regarding the potential long-term effects of 17-OHPC on the behavioral and neural development of exposed children. In rodents, developmental exposure to 17-OHPC disrupts serotonergic and dopaminergic innervation of the medial prefrontal cortex and impairs decision-making in complex cognitive tasks in adulthood. The present study tested the hypothesis that developmental exposure to 17-OHPC similarly disrupts the development of serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways within limbic targets and subsequent mood-related behaviors. Developmental 17-OHPC exposure significantly increased the density of serotonin transporter-IR fibers in CA1, CA2/3, and the suprapyramidal blade of dentate gyrus in hippocampus and significantly reduced the density of TH-IR fibers within the nucleus accumbens shell in males but had no effect in females during adolescence. Irregular microglia activational phenotype and number were also observed in the hippocampus of 17-OHPC-exposed males. Developmental 17-OHPC reduced the latency to immobility in males in the forced swim test but did not affect sucrose consumption in a sucrose preference test. These findings suggest that 17-OHPC exerts sex-specific effects on the development of mesocorticolimbic pathways and mood-related behavior in adolescence and highlight the need to investigate effects in adolescent children.

Differential Functions of Oxytocin Receptor-Expressing Neurons in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus in Social Stress Responses: Induction of Adaptive and Maladaptive Coping Behaviors

The flexibility to adjust actions and attitudes in response to varying social situations is a fundamental aspect of adaptive social behavior. Adaptive social behaviors influence an individual's vulnerability to social stress. While oxytocin has been proposed to facilitate active coping behaviors during social stress, the exact mechanisms remain unknown. By using a social defeat stress paradigm in male mice, we identified the distribution of oxytocin receptor (OXTR)-expressing neurons in the ventrolateral part of the ventromedial hypothalamus (vlVMH) that are activated during stress by detection of c-Fos protein expression. We then investigated the role of vlVMH OXTR-expressing neurons in social defeat stress responses by chemogenetic methods or deletion of local OXTRs. The social defeat posture was measured for quantification of adaptive social behavior during repeated social stress. Social defeat stress activated OXTR-expressing neurons rather than estrogen type 1-expressing neurons in the rostral vlVMH. OXTR-expressing neurons in the vlVMH were glutamatergic. Chemogenetic activation of vlVMH OXTR-expressing neurons facilitated exhibition of the social defeat posture during exposure to social stress, while local OXTR deletion suppressed it. In contrast, over-activation of vlVMH-OXTR neurons induced generalized social avoidance after exposure to chronic social defeat stress. Neural circuits for the social defeat posture centered on OXTR-expressing neurons were identified by viral tracers and c-Fos mapping. VlVMH OXTR-expressing neurons are a functionally unique population of neurons that promote an active coping behavior during social stress, but their excessive and repetitive activation under chronic social stress impairs subsequent social behavior.

Spillover effects of an information intervention on food handling behavior and the stimulus of survey in rural China

A substantial proportion of foodborne illnesses arise at home as a result of poor food handling practices. Consumer information intervention has usually been conducted to prevent such illness; however, few studies have examined the spillover effect of these interventions. This study aimed to identify whether an information intervention focused on one target food handling behavior has spillover effects on other aspects of food handling behaviors (nontargeting behaviors) through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in rural China. The results estimated by the difference-in-difference model reveal that information intervention has a significant impact on both target and nontarget food handling behaviors. The existence of positive spillover effects is mainly due to the release of limited attention resources from information interventions and the motivation of consumers to maintain other aspects of behaviors as regulated as the target behaviors. In addition, the results also show that being surveyed spurs a stimulus to subsequent behavior. The survey effect is taken into account when calculating the spillover effects in this paper, so a more accurate estimate is obtained. These findings can motivate governments to conduct more consumer education campaigns, especially in emerging countries, and can also contribute to experimental design, data collection methods and cost‒benefit analyses of interventions, thereby helping researchers avoid biased parameter estimation.

Time Perspective and Perceived Social Isolation: The Role of Social Interaction Anxiety.

Time perspective is a theoretical construct that describes how humans perceive time, which can influence decision-making and subsequent behavior. Research has shown that an individual's dominant time perspective can be linked to increased risk of poor health. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between time perspective and perceived social isolation. Specifically, we examined the role of social interaction anxiety in the relationship between time perspective and perceived social isolation in a normative sample of college-aged individuals. Undergraduates (n = 1780) at a large midwestern university completed an online survey. Results revealed that future-oriented, past-positive, and present-hedonistic time perspectives were significantly negatively associated with perceived social isolation. In contrast, past-negative was positively associated with perceived social isolation, and these relationships were partially explained by social interaction anxiety. Understanding dominant time perspectives can help us to better assess health risk factors and may help to develop interventions to promote healthy behaviors.

Predicting the non-linear behaviour of cross laminated timber shearwalls with cut-out openings

The behaviour and failure mode expected in Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) shearwalls when either window or door openings are incorporated into the shearwalls may be considerably different than that of shearwalls without openings. Despite clear theoretical and experimental evidence of the possible occurrence of significant increase in the deformation contribution of the CLT panels and induce high stress concentrations around openings, limited studies have been conducted on the effect of crack propagation in CLT shearwalls with cut openings. The current study presents two modelling techniques to account for the crack propagation around openings, through concentrated plastic hinge (PHM) and continuous post-elastic (CPEM) models. The proposed models are validated using available experimental results obtained from six full-scale shearwalls in the literature while input parameters, such as the mechanical properties of the CLT panels, are obtained, in part, from component-level experimental investigation on CLT beams conducted by the authors as part of the current study. The impact and advantages of accurately predicting the non-linear behaviour of the CLT panels are investigated through a numerical analysis on a case-study representing a multi-storey shearwall with multiple openings. The results showed the inability of elastic models to predict the inelastic behaviour in the CLT shearwall after the crack opening, and this the study recommends the inclusion of stress redistribution near crack openings and subsequent inelastic behaviour in the analysis.

Ecotourism design affordances, identity, and intelligence: how does it influence tourist pro-environmental behaviour?

ABSTRACT This study explores the link between perceived ecotourism design affordances, environmental identity, sustainable intelligence, and pro-environmental behaviour among ecotourists. Through quantitative research design with purposive sampling, the study analysed 239 responses using Partial-least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The study found that dimensions of functional/aesthetic and social/symbolic affordance significantly influence environmental identity. The social/symbolic construct is subsequently found to contribute significantly to sustainable intelligence and later shapes pro-environmental behaviour. The study also validates that environmental identity mediates the functional/aesthetic and social/symbolic relationship with sustainable intelligence. These results contribute to refining theoretical models and provide a more robust foundation for future research in environmental psychology and sustainable behaviour. The study’s originality lies in its multifaceted exploration of ecotourism affordance dimensions and their interconnectedness, shedding light on the dynamics that underlie the formation of environmental identity, sustainable intelligence, and subsequent pro-environmental behaviour.

The influence of ferrite content, ferrite-austenite morphology, and orientation relationship on bainite transformation in intercritically annealed bainitic steels

This manuscript elucidates the influence of varying ferrite/tempered martensite (TM) content, morphology and orientation relationship (OR) between ferrite/TM with reverted austenite (γ) resulting at different intercritical temperatures on the subsequent bainite transformation behaviour. A comprehensive analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction, and dilatometry. TM/bainite and ferrite/bainite steels were produced through intercritical annealing at 735 °C, 745 °C, and 765 °C, followed by austempering at 310 °C, using initially quenched and cold-deformed martensite, respectively. In samples without cold rolling, TM and bainite are alternately distributed at all intercritical temperatures. The γ reversion process in these samples led to the formation of acicular γ at prior martensite blocks and laths while globular γ was formed at prior γ boundaries and packet boundaries. Notably, a lower TM content correlated with increased globular γ formation. The acicular γ exhibited a Kurdjumov–Sachs (K-S) OR with prior γ. The globular γ formed at prior γ grain boundaries showed the K-S OR with the prior γ where it grows. However, globular γ formed at packet boundaries maintained the K-S OR with one of its surrounding blocks in prior γ where it lies. In the subsequent austempering process, bainite formed from reversed γ followed the K-S OR with TM. The TM and bainite shared the same variant in the same block. In samples with cold rolling, polygonal ferrite and bainite were distributed at all intercritical temperatures. Decreasing the ferrite content showed a coarsening of the microstructure. All polygonal samples revealed an irrational OR between bainite/martensite and ferrite. In samples with and without cold rolling, the bainitic formation rate decreased with increasing ferrite/TM, likely due to the high C and Mn content at the α/γ interface. Comparatively, the samples without cold rolling showed faster bainitic transformation than samples with cold rolling at similar ferrite/TM percentages, particularly noticeable at higher ferrite/TM content. The alternately arranged elongated TM and reversed γ lamellae increased the α/γ interfacial density for bainitic nucleation. Moreover, K–S oriented α/γ interfaces exhibited a lower activation energy for bainite nucleation. In samples without cold rolling, both high density of α/γ interfaces and K–S oriented α/γ interfaces collectively facilitate the bainitic transformation.

Degradation of lubricating molecules in synovial fluid alters chondrocyte sensitivity to shear strain.

Articular joints facilitate motion and transfer loads to underlying bone through a combination of cartilage tissue and synovial fluid, which together generate a low-friction contact surface. Traumatic injury delivered to cartilage and the surrounding joint capsule causes secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by chondrocytes and the synovium, triggering cartilage matrix breakdown and impairing the ability of synovial fluid to lubricate the joint. Once these inflammatory processes become chronic, posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) development begins. However, the exact mechanism by which negative alterations to synovial fluid leads to PTOA pathogenesis is not fully understood. We hypothesize that removing the lubricating macromolecules from synovial fluid alters the relationship between mechanical loads and subsequent chondrocyte behavior in injured cartilage. To test this hypothesis, we utilized an ex vivo model of PTOA that involves subjecting cartilage explants to a single rapid impact followed by continuous articulation within a lubricating bath of either healthy synovial fluid, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), synovial fluid treated with hyaluronidase, or synovial fluid treated with trypsin. These treatments degrade the main macromolecules attributed with providing synovial fluid with its lubricating properties; hyaluronic acid and lubricin. Explants were then bisected and fluorescently stained to assess global and depth-dependent cell death, caspase activity, and mitochondrial depolarization. Explants were tested via confocal elastography to determine the local shear strain profile generated in each lubricant. These results show that degrading hyaluronic acid or lubricin in synovial fluid significantly increases middle zone chondrocyte damage and shear strain loading magnitudes, while also altering chondrocyte sensitivity to loading.

Adsorption of dinotefuran using TpBDMe COF nanoparticles for soil leaching reduction and bee safety

Dinotefuran (DIN) contaminates groundwater and is toxic to bees, so designing a novel pesticide loading system for dinotefuran is of great significance. In this paper, dinotefuran was loaded into TpBDMe COF with a mesoporous hollow structure, and the TpBDMe COF loaded with dinotefuran exhibited initial burst and subsequent sustained release behavior. The results showed that the product effectively suppresses wheat aphid development, with virtually no infestation occurring for 7–14 days, whereas other commercially available formulation had lost their usefulness. Our TpBDMe COF carrier effectively immobilizes dinotefuran, reducing pesticide leaching in soil by 70 % and enhancing the application efficiency of neonicotinoid insecticides. The LD50 of this product for acute exposure of honey bees doubled the LD50 of the original furosemide at 24 h and was equally effective at 48 h, reducing the toxicity to bees and promoting ecological safety. The results of this work show that this nanocarrier system is highly stable, loadable, insecticidal active, and environmentally friendly, showing great potential in the development of new nanocarriers for use.